Ruffner Mountain Field Trip.

Because of Fawn's migraines, the school has asked that I attend every field trip. That way I have his medicine and am also there to drive him home if he gets a headache. I think it's actually a blessing that I get to share some of his elementary school experiences with him.

Today, the kindergarteners went to Ruffner Mountain. I think it is so precious that they all fit on one school bus. How cute is that! Compared to our 3K Ruffner Mountain experience this was such a well coordinated, fun, engaging field trip. Fawn and his buddies had a blast.

I was the only mom with Mrs. Davis' class, so for the hike, our trail guide took the lead, Mrs. Davis stuck near the middle and I stayed at the end of the line. Fawn was up at the front -- so we really didn't even see each other on his field trip. I was really proud of him. He jokes that my name is "Hold me mommy" and is very cuddly at home. But, he's got an independent side and was happy to do his own thing.

Leader of the pack

On our hike, we got to turtle rock -- and Fawn was the student who guessed it's correct name (after guessing armadillo rock first).

First on top of Turtle Rock

Sweet Davis Divers

After our hike, we toured the nature center, which of course Fawn loved. The snakes and turtles were very active and put on quite the show. Then it was back to the pavilion for leaf rubbings and a picnic lunch.

Getting crafty

After lunch, Fawn rode home with me. Loved the extra time with our buddy -- and loved my time with his sweet class.

More Small Fry Funnies.

We are working on manners. He know what he's supposed to say, but prefers not to use his manners.  "Mommy, I need to say uh huh when I run out of yes sirs."

The world revolves around Small Fry right now. When I sing Jesus Loves Me at night, he screams, "No mommy, Jesus loves ME!" So to keep the wild man happy, I have to sing "Jesus loves Jack this we know...." When I tell him I love him he responds with, "No, Mommy. I love MYSELF!"

His hair is long and shaggy and in desperate need for a cut (especially before he sits for his silhouette in mid-November). When we talk about getting a haircut he says, "No, Mommy. My hair is perfect."

So very much an opinionated two-year old right now. He keeps us laughing and we love him so.

Pumpkin Painting.

Since Buck takes the helm of the pumpkin carving activities, I always try to take the lead on pumpkin painting. It's fun, easy, and festive -- and the boys love it. So after school we set up the pumpkins and paint on our back deck and got to work.

All of a sudden he can really do art projects with us.

Fawn planned out what he was putting on each side -- a jack-o-lantern and a ghost.

Peaceful, happy activity.

When I see their profiles, I see so many similarities.

A fun afternoon with my sidekicks.

iFall.

We got to borrow our best buddy Turner for a fun morning of a Chick-Fil-A breakfast and a Lego birthday party.

The boys love the new Cam's Corner at Overton Park. Fawn has even mastered the monkey bars.

Speaking of monkeys...

I spy two.

Glad to enjoy the zoo with this big guy who is usually at school.

Double tractor trouble.

I caved and bought our first inflatable decoration.

This guy loves the Botanical Gardens.

And posing for pictures with his mouth open.

I absolutely cherish our two mornings to hang out together.

Kindergarten pajama day!

Rattlesnake on the back roads to the farm.

I spend most Thursday mornings at the zoo with this crazy guy.

Pumpkin Carving.

We couldn't let Halloween arrive without getting our pumpkins carved. Buck was adamant that he only carve two this year -- one for each boy. I think we wore him out last year with four pumpkins to carve. So after baseball, we took to carving pumpkins in the driveway. I did nothing but man the camera -- Buck did it all! So thank you Buck for the excellent pumpkins and the fun family memories.

Small Fry was so excited about the pumpkins and was Buck's assistant the whole afternoon.

Wearing the sticker off the pumpkin.

Totally intrigued.

Those precious glimpses of baby face get me every time.

So proud of his pumpkin.

Buck and Fawn had a long drawn out discussion about Fawn's pumpkin, which he originally wanted to be Optimus Prime. After the sketched several options, they had a plan.

Buck is actually really artistic. And really OCD. He used a Magic Eraser to clean any stray drawing marks off the pumpkins when he was done.

Happy Boy!

Sweet boys, cute pumpkins.

Make a scary face!

Donuts for Dad.

BWF has special Kindergarten programs for dads, moms and grandparents. First up was Donuts for Dad. Fawn told me about the songs they had learned to sing for the dads, but wouldn't indulge me in the full versions. And, I got to see the name tags that each child made for their father because I helped Mrs. Davis assemble them. But I wasn't there! That's an odd feeling, seeing as though I'm the parent who has been at EVERYTHING. But, I'm really glad Fawn got that special time with Buck. That they shared a fun, school experience without me. Buck reports that Fawn was adorable, but he didn't take any pictures or video. I did manage to capture these picture of my two big guys before they left for their very special morning together.

Buck was actually coming home to work from home after the program. He dressed up anyway. Handsome daddy.

Fawn is unable to take pictures without opening his mouth. Also, I bribed him to wear a collared shirt by giving him new Transformers pajamas in exchange for his cooperation. Hey, bribery works.

Pumpkin Patch.

The morning after Boo at the Zoo, mom and I headed up to Hayden, Alabama to The Great Pumpkin Patch. Go big or go home, right? The weather was gorgeous -- the big, huge, blue, southern sky of autumn. It was cool but not cold. Perfect for pumpkin picking and all the other fun that goes along with it. I was hoping the sleepiness from Boo at the Zoo the night before would lead to a quiet, peaceful car ride north. However, there was a bit of grumbling -- perhaps the sleepiness backfired? I have to admit I was a little nervous as we arrived and hoped I hadn't crammed too many activities into our weekend. My worries were for naught -- the boys behaved beautifully and thoroughly enjoyed our pumpkin outing.

We started with a pony ride!

So big...and the boots!

Even bigger!

All done.

After the pony rides, Fawn was begging to do the jumpies. I was terrified because Small Fry was still recovering from his broken collarbone. But, we'd hit the eight-week mark so I caved (and worried the entire time). They had a great time bouncing away, though. It was a highlight of the day.

Up, up and away.

Whee!

Fawn loved the huge slides.

Well, hello there.

When I felt like we'd pushed our safety luck to the limit, I dragged their happy, sweaty bodies from the jumpy area to the picnic tables and we took a break for lunch. The pumpkin patch actually has delicious, down home food. Yummy! Then we took advantage of the cute photo-op spots in an attempt to get a cute picture of the boys. It was a fun fail.

We then waited in a short line to take a hay ride to the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch was absolutely gorgeous, and the setting is just beautiful. The boys were in heaven.

And they're off.

They made very special selections -- especially Fawn.

Handsome baby kept choosing huge pumpkins.

Love these two.

Excellent selections boys!

Mimi and I thought at this point the outing was over...little did we know there was a huge hay pile for the kids to play in as they waited for the return hayride. We played and played and played there, missing return ride after return ride. They thought it was just the most fun ever. A super fun way to end a super great day.